Genesis Chapter 41
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Genesis Chapter 41 (The Seven Year Prophecies)
Genesis Chapter 41 (The Seven Year Prophecies)
Intro: As James went over last Sunday, we went over Genesis Chapter 40 and we saw the two dreams one from the Chief butler and one from the Chief Baker. Joseph, having that divine gift of interpretation, and being able to rightfully divide and illustrate their dreams. Also we saw how Joseph gets kind of impatient and shows us how he too is man. Even though yes he is inherited the covenant from Abraham and God passed down, and he represents a Godly man, there is only ONE in the flesh who never fell short and never let sin divide Him and that was Christ.
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
James covered this verse last Sunday, and we see that phrase “came to pass at the end of two full years”
We can connect the dots and see how Joseph is around 38 years old when this is taking place.
So remember Pharaoh was the title of the leader of Egypt, and remember Joseph’s gift that we keep seeing is his ability to interpret God’s divine dreams and visions.
The Pharaoh has now had a divine dream.
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
That word “kine” meaning cows or female cattle.
in biblical numeric, 7 means completeness or perfection.
There were 7 healthy well favored cows feeding in the meadow of the Pharaoh's dream.
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
7 more cows or female cattle came out, but these were sickly and skinny. and these two groups stood by at the river.
And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
These 7 sickly cattle, ate up the fat well favored cattle and he awoke from his dream.
And that word eat up, means to consume all.
So this was the end of the first of Pharaoh’s dream.
And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
So now his 2nd dream, there are now 7 ears of corn that came up and are ranked and good. Healthy corn.
And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
So kind of mimicking the 1st dream he had, there were 7 thin and sickly ears of corn.
And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
The 7 thin ears devoured or “consumed” the 7 healthy ears of corn,
This dream being almost an identical repetition of his first dream.
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
“magicians” used here is translated to “chartom” in the Hebrew meaning “horoscopists”
The Pharaoh sent for all the wise men and the ones who could, see with their 3rd eye, . Horoscopists were like Egypt’s false versions of Joseph. They were what I would say interpreters of false gods.
But none of these men could interpret his dream.
Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
If we remember, Joseph spoke with the chief butler and asked him to remember him unto Pharaoh, sort of showing him getting impatient with his life,
But now we see the chief butler is finally remember Joseph and brings him up to the Pharaoh because he knows Joseph is an interpreter of divine dreams.
Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:
And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
So he is reiterating what happened last chapter.
And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
So he is filling the Pharaoh in on what all took place while they were in prison last chapter, and how they dreamed and Joseph rightfully and accurately interpreted and prophesied their divine dreams.
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
So he called for Joseph, and got him all cleaned up so that he could be presented unto the Pharaoh
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
So pay attention here, Pharaoh is acknowledging Joseph’s gift of interpretation, and immediately Joseph gives the glory to God. This really shows Joseph’s relationship with God. He is locked in prison, finally gets to be face to face with the Pharaoh or king of Egypt at the time, and even tho we saw last chapter how yes he is a man in the flesh, he will always have shortcomings and fall to self sin, He could have easily agreed with the Pharaoh and used it as a way to gain his freedom, but instead, he keeps God at first hand, giving God the glory and ability for peace in the Pharaoh’s dream.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
We are going to see here Pharaoh, re illustrating his dream unto Joseph.
And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
So he even further explains to Joseph that all the wise and magicians in Egypt could not interpret this dream, somewhat giving his opinion of doubt unto Joseph, but not unto Joseph specifically, unto God and his ability to bring peace.
And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
Joseph explaining that this is a Divine Communication from God. Like James has preached on before, God can speak and use anyone he wants and wills to. Just because you may have an atheist surgeon does not mean you shouldn't pray and God can’t lead them.
The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
Joseph is explaining that these two dreams are one. They are the same representation just using different examples.
And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.
Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
The next 7 years there will be plenty of food and needs in Egypt. The land will be bountiful.
And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
The following 7 years will have such a great famine and starvation, that the past 7 will be forgotten.
And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
Emphasizing how terrible this coming famine will be.
And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
The reason this dream came unto Pharaoh twice, Joseph is explaining how that was emphasis on the matter given by God. PAY ATTENTION because this IS coming to pass.
Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Pharaoh is to look out a wise man to be over the land of Egypt for preparation over not only this bountiful 7 years, but also the grievous 7 that is coming after.
Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
So during the 7 plentiful years, the pharaoh should save a 5th of the rations
5 in biblical numeric means “the grace of God”
And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
Again, to save and store the food, endure preparation for the 7 grievous years to come.
And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
Follow these instructions, so that Egypt will be prepared and not be worrisome during the famine to come.
And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
Pharaoh is asking this statement as a rhetorical question. He is asking his servants if there is a man so strong in the spirit of God, Knowing through what has taken place that Joseph qualifies.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
So lets take a look at how God works.
Joseph was sold by his own brothers unto slavery
God lead him to be the head keeper of his masters house
Joseph was sent unto prison through his masters wife through her lies and deception
God lead him to be the head prisoner
To now being head over Egypt.
Like James went over last chapter, we see Joseph starting to get impatient and trying to take matters in his own hands
After all he is man in the flesh, flesh is going to fall short, only one man in the flesh did not and that is Christ.
But remember their is a sacred covenant that started between God and Abraham.
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
This is that same covanent between God and Abraham that is being passed down the lineage from generation to generation.
God is holding his end of the covenant as long as they hold up theirs. And we are seeing this over and over from generation to generation since it was made in Genesis Chapter 12
Joseph is living by God’s guidance and keeping the covenant promised, and although he is going through trials and hardships, we see that God will never abandoned as long as man does not turn their back on him.
And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
The exchange of leadership here. Pharaoh is removing that signet that represents leadership over Egypt and turning it over to Joseph to lead Egypt through the next 14 years. 7 for preparation and 7 of famine.
And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
Joseph is now given an Egyptian name, but as we read throughout his story we will see he is still referred to as Joseph.
If you study and look up the meaning of his Egyptian given name, there is alot of debate over the exact translation,
But most likely this name is translated to “interpreter of divine messages”
And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
Joseph going out onto this journey to lead Egypt.
And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
He is following God’s guidance here. The land brought forth PLENTYFULL, so he is stock piling, preparing.
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
Go count the sand of the sea. They stock piled so much corn you could not even count it.
And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him.
So just like the 7 years of plenty, God is blessing Joseph, bringing forth 2 sons. Carrying on his lineage, his seed.
And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.
Manasseh literally meaning “forgetting”
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Ephraim literally meaning “doubled or fruitfulness”
So even throughout the naming of his children who were blessings from God, he is remembering God firsthand by naming them from God’s blessings. Joseph shows GREAT examples to us now to always remember and give God the thanks he deserves first.
And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
So now we are going to see the shift in the time period, but remember, Joseph lead by God’s guidance.
And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
Dearth meaning “hunger”
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
All the people were looking to Pharaoh for guidance and he tells them to follow Joseph. Giving him leadership just like was promise 7 years earlier.
And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
That term “waxed sore” think of when someone gets their hair waxed, it is removed.
The famine was removed from Egypt because of them following God’s lead.
And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
So through following God’s guidance through the dreams of the Pharaoh, and Joseph being able to interpret divine visions, They had led Egypt and were able to use God’s warning and prepare for this famine so greatly that other countries were coming into get food because not only did they have enough for themselves, but also enough to share unto others.
Conclusion: There is 3 things I want to look at from this chapter.
I know James has spoken on this before, but we see a great example here on how God can also use people who are not followers of Him in order for his will to be done. James used the reference to maybe you have an Atheist surgeon that is going to preform surgery on you, Don’t let your belief in God to fall short and think that he cant work through their lives and guide them to preform a successful and safe surgery, the same thing we are seeing here
The pharaoh was not a follower of God, but God gave him divine dreams and Joseph was able to use God’s divine gift to interpret them and well prepare the lands for a great famine. God used the pharaoh for His guidance.
Also take a look at it from Joseph’s standpoint. Us as Christians and followers of God, it is important to use our spiritual knowledge and discernment that we gain from God to help those who may not be believers come to Christs light. Remember we should be as mirrors to reflect God’s light to those in the dark.
Look at how God is preparing and giving guidance to them. So many times there are people who pray and ask for God to preform miracles in their lives, when God could be speaking to them and giving them the guidance they need for certain situation. It’s easier for us to sit back and wait for God’s rescue, than to take God’s guidance and put our work boots on and meet him halfway. I’m not giving man recognition for this, but God’s blessing could also be the guidance on what to do in a situation and not to be pulled out of hardship.
We are coming into hurricane season, there is a category 5 hurricane building in the gulf, Should we be sitting back and just praying for God to protect us from it?
Or should we pray for God’s protection, but also use our gift of common sense we gain from God, to know that we need to prepare for situations to come.
Don’t stand in a cat 5 hurricane waiting for a miracle to pull you out to safety, when God has given you the common sense and has been telling you to prepare and seek shelter weeks before the storm.
Genesis Chapter 41 (The Seven Year Prophecies)
Genesis Chapter 41 (The Seven Year Prophecies)
